'It's long overdue': Melanie Sykes shows her support for the addition of same sex couples to Blind Date... as she credits the 'iconic' series and its new host Paul O'Grady
Much-loved dating show Blind Date has made a comeback to our screens following a a fourteen year hiatus.
Its reboot has seen Paul O'Grady take the reins, replacing former host Cilla Back, and Melanie Sykes has joined him as the show's voice-over.
Along with a new presenting line-up, Blind Date is now welcoming same sex couples onto the show - a move that has been praised by former I'm A Celebrity star Mel, 46, with her insisting it has been 'long overdue'.
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'It's long overdue': Melanie Sykes, 46, has shown her support for show bosses decision to include same sex couples on the revamped version of Blind Date
Make like Mel in a floral cold shoulder dress by New Look this summer
Don't you just love wafting around in a pretty summer dress?
Well we certainly do and it's clear Melanie Sykes feels the same way. The model and presenter made an appearance on ITV's Lorraine show today and looked radiant in this gorgeous little number by New Look.
It's fulfilling a lot of fashion briefs here. Cold shoulder? Check. Wrap front? Check. Frills? Check. Asymmetric hem? Check. Vibrant floral print? Check. So as you can see bagging all this for only £22.99 is a total bargain.
Melanie's midi will be lovely on a balmy holiday evening styled with high heel sandals, but you can make it work for daytime too with a pair of sneakers and a denim jacket. So click (right) to buy it now and you can find more flowery cold shoulder options below.
Oh and if you want to steal Mel's look head to toe then her Miss KG sandals are below too.
Mel had appeared on ITV's Lorraine on Friday morning to discuss Blind Date and her involvement with the show.
While its format is staying true to its traditional set up, the dating series has been modernised by Channel 5 in an attempt to make it 'young and sexy' and now includes same sex couples among its contestants.
Praising the move by show bosses, Mel told host Lorraine Kelly: '[Blind Date] is so fun and quite racy and the host is gay, so it makes sense... it's long overdue.'
Blind Date sees one singleton quiz three potential suitors on the show while they are hidden behind a screen. Based on the answers they receive, they then choose one contestant to head on all-expenses paid holiday with them.
Breaking boundaries: The Channel 5 dating reboot made the change in a bid to modernise the show and make it 'young and sexy' - something Mel claims was 'long overdue' and 'makes sense'
Full of praise: Mel was also seen complimenting Blind Date's new host Paul O'Grady, as she said: 'He is so good at it... he's so brilliant and so perfect at it'
Comedian Paul is now fronting the series and has been praised by viewers for his cheeky presenting style, following Blind Date's return last month.
They deemed him the 'perfect choice' to replace his long-term pal Cilla, who passed away following an accidental fall at her home in Spain in 2015.
Paul had paid tribute to Cilla during the first episode of Blind Date's new series in June, as he said: 'It's been 14 years since Blind Date was last on our screens and it was presented of course by the late, great, and my friend, Cilla Black. Let's hear it for her!
'The woman who gave me two heart attacks and broke my nose in a Jacuzzi. Oh god, I don't half miss her, but it doesn't seem like 14 years, does it?'
Hit: Paul has been praised by viewers for his role on Blind Date, thanks to his cheeky presenting style - he has replaced the late Cilla Black who passed away in 2015
'Let's hear it for Cilla': Paul had paid tribute to Cilla during the first episode of Blind Date's new series in June - admitting he misses his long-term pal - she had hosted the show for 18 years
It seems Paul has stepped into Cilla's shoes well, with Mel complimenting her co-star for his efforts.
She said during her live interview: 'Paul is so good at it. My voice-over is live into the studio, so I get to watch him and he's so brilliant and so perfect at it.'
Although, she did admit that her involvement with the show was something of a last minute addition.
'It's really weird to think Paul's name had been with it for such a long time and I got a call the weekend before they started filming,' she explained. 'I think they hadn't really thought about it.'
Last minute: Mel went on to add that her addition to the lineup wasn't made until very late on as she had only got a call about becoming the show's voice-over the 'weekend before' filming began
She said: 'I got a call the weekend before they started filming. I think they hadn't really thought about it!'
Speaking about the show, Mel added: 'It's innocent and I know we get a little bit cheeky at times, but we all remember [Blind Date] first time round.
'It's such an iconic show, I grew up with it. You'd get ready to go out on a Saturday night and I'd watch it with my hair in rollers and paint my nails.
'It's not been changed at all, it's the way it was before... it really just works.'
Mel's appearance on Lorraine comes after she recently spoke of her own experience of dating and ruled out ever using apps to find romance such as Tinder.
The TV star insisted it was 'so much better to meet someone naturally' during a chat with Chris Evans on BBC Radio 2 recently.
'Obviousy, I've never been on it': Mel's appearance on Lorraine comes after she recently spoke of her own experience of dating and ruled out ever using dating apps such as Tinder
She claimed: 'It would be ridiculous if I was to go on Tinder, I'd be asking for trouble.
'I don't know anything about it other than if you don't like the look of someone you get rid of them... I don't understand it - obviously I've never been on it.'
Melanie has two children, Roman, 15, and Valentino Luca, 12, from her first marriage to actor Daniel Caltagirone. The former couple were married in 2001 but the couple split up in 2008 and divorced the following year.
Mel went onto marry Jack Cockings, 29, in 2013 but after less than one year of marriage she filed for divorce.
She claimed: 'It would be ridiculous if I was to go on Tinder, I'd be asking for trouble... I don't understand it. It's so much better to meet someone naturally'
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